Moving for a job in Cupertino. Looking to live closer to SF. Need advice. (Los Angeles: sales)

[skubaman]

Hi,
My fiancee and I will be moving to the Bay Area for a job in Cupertino. We currently live in Manhattan Beach, in Los Angeles County.

Although the job is in cupertino, I feel I would prefer to live somewhere closer to the coast and to SF area. We like going to the beach (I surf), outdoor activities, and doing cultural stuff such as concerts, plays, etc...

Another reason to be closer to SF is because my fiancee will be looking for a job in marketing and we assume there will be more opportunities there.

I am really not familiar with the bay area and would like some suggestions for cities that have character, a charm, about them.

I appreciate your help.
Thanks

[hsw]

Would consider either SF or PaloAlto

SF-Cupertino is ~45min, autobahn-like drive on 280 fwy (even in 8AM traffic w/the lazy crowd), as 280 is easily world's fastest, most efficient urban fwy

PaloAlto is adjacent to natural scenery of Woodside mtns and Coast, and most high-income jobs in region are effectively centered around PA suburbs
SF has more new condo towers in Soma and better restaurants, but weaker grocery stores and basic amenities of life

Perhaps some marketing jobs exist in SF w/the various financial firms and garment cos., but many of the SV tech cos. have massive marketing and online ad sales teams

[skubaman]

Thanks hsw. What about south san francisco? or san mateo area?

Thanks

[AllenSJC]

Originally Posted by skubaman

Thanks hsw. What about south san francisco? or san mateo area?

Thanks

May I inquire as to what your price range is for cost of living?

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by skubaman

Hi,
My fiancee and I will be moving to the Bay Area for a job in Cupertino. We currently live in Manhattan Beach, in Los Angeles County.

Although the job is in cupertino, I feel I would prefer to live somewhere closer to the coast and to SF area. We like going to the beach (I surf), outdoor activities, and doing cultural stuff such as concerts, plays, etc...

Another reason to be closer to SF is because my fiancee will be looking for a job in marketing and we assume there will be more opportunities there.

I am really not familiar with the bay area and would like some suggestions for cities that have character, a charm, about them.

I appreciate your help.
Thanks

Considering that jobs are tight anywhere, I would still say that you will see as many marketing jobs in the valley as in SF. I wouldn't assume that they are all in SF. Who do you suppose does the marketing functions for all those companies in the valley? I hope she is at least trying to look for a marketing job right now? If you want to be close to the ocean and close to SF, then you could live in Pacifica. That's on the beach, but it feels like a small town. Of course, your commute will be a bit long.

It would only take you 30 minutes, max 45 minutes to drive from Cupertino to Santa Cruz and hop in the water with a surfboard. It would probably take you just as long to get to the water in San Francisco. I used to drive from Mountain View to Santa Cruz & Pacifica 2-3 times a week to go surfing before and after work.

Being in Cupertino does not mean being isolated from culture. I hope you do realize that Cupertino has a large performing arts center that draws large internationally known performances, lectures, music, dance, etc? There is another in Mountain View and several venues in San Jose.

You can always locate in Cupertino or that area (Mountain View, Palo Alto, Campbell). Mountain View is a good place to locate if your job is in Cupertino. That is a reverse commute. I lived in Mountain View and worked in Cupertino for 2 years. It took me only 15 minutes to get to work. It was the best commute I ever had. Living in Mountain View also gives you access to the Caltrain which will take you into San Francisco.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

San Carlos, Belmont, Foster City, San Mateo.

But be warned, for being in such an optimal location (exactly half way been SJ and SF) there is a 20% premium.

[skubaman]

Thanks guys for all the information.

To answer the budget questions, we are probably willing to pay $1500 to $2000 for rent.

As far as jobs. Even tough my fiancee has long experience in marketing, it's not in the tech industry, so we are concerned that jobs in the valley might not fit her.

Thanks again